NCJ Number
48079
Date Published
1978
Length
94 pages
Annotation
RESULTS OF THREE STUDIES OF CRIME IN MICHIGAN ARE REPORTED: AN ATTITUDE AND OPINION SURVEY, A STUDY OF CRIME INCIDENT REPORTING IN 800 HOUSEHOLDS, AND A STUDY OF CRIME REPORTING BY 1,276 PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT.
Abstract
REPORTED CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION HAS DECLINED MARKEDLY IN THE PAST YEARS; A 15-PERCENT POSITIVE RESPONSE RATE TO THE VICTIMIZATON QUESTION IS THE LOWEST IN 6 YEARS. VICTIMIZATION IS HIGHER AMONG TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS THAN AMONG THOSE OVER 25 YEARS OLD. PERCEIVED NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME IS AT THE LOWEST LEVEL, ALTHOUGH ONLY 10 PERCENT REPORTED THAT CRIME HAD DECREASED IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS, AND 14 PERCENT REPORT AN INCREASE FOR THE PAST YEAR, A REQUEST FOR DETAILED INCIDENT REPORTING INDICATED UNDERREPORTING OF VICTIMIZATION. MICHIGAN RESIDENTS REPORTED FEELING SAFER FROM CRIME IN 1978 THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS; 73 PERCENT FELT REASONABLY SAFE IN THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD, ALTHOUGH 65 PERCENT HAD SOME FEAR OF CRIME. UNEMPLOYMENT IS VIEWED AS A PRINCIPAL CAUSE OF CRIME; OTHER CAUSES INCLUDED LACK OF PARENTAL DISCIPLINE, PUBLIC ATTITUDES, AND LENIENT LAWS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. MOST RESPONDENTS VIEW ORGANIZED CRIME AS A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN MICHIGAN. CONFIDENCE RATINGS WERE HIGHEST FOR THE STATE POLICE, THE COUNTY POLICE, LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS, AND THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. THE COURTS, ATTORNEYS GENERAL, AND PROSECUTORS ALSO RECEIVED RATINGS OF CONFIDENCE FROM A MAJORITY OF RESPONDENTS. LEAST CONFIDENCE WAS EXPRESSED IN STATE PRISONS, PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICERS, AND YOUTH DETENTION HOMES. RESPONDENTS LARGELY FAVORED STRICTER LAW ENFORCEMENT AND STRONGER TACTICS BY POLICE TO COMBAT CRIME. A MAJORITY OF RESPONDENTS OPPOSED A BAN ON HANDGUN CONTROL AND SUPPORTED USE OF THE DEATH PENALTY. ATTITUDES TOWARD A VARIETY OF PENALTIES FOR VICTIMLESS CRIMES WERE SPLIT AS TO WHETHER PENALTIES SHOULD BE MORE LENIENT; A MAJORITY DID NOT FEEL SUCH OFFENSES SHOULD BE DECRIMINALIZED. A MAJORITY OF RESPONDENTS FAVORED STRICTER HANDLING OF JUVENILE STATUS OFFENDERS, FELT THE COURTS ARE TOO LENIENT IN SENTENCING, DISAPPROVED OF PLEA BARGAINING, FELT JAILS AND PRISONS ARE FUNCTIONING AS WELL AS CAN BE EXPECTED, AND PREFERRED CENTRALIZED PRISONS AND TREATMENT CENTERS. A SURVEY OF BUSINESSES/EMPLOYERS INDICATED THAT RETAILERS AND BUSINESSES WITH LARGE NUMBERS OF EMPLOYEES ARE VICTIMIZED BY CRIME IN HIGHER PROPORTIONS THAN OTHERS. MALICIOUS DESTRUCTION, LARCENY, AND BURGLARY WERE AMONG THE MOST REPORTED CRIMES AGAINST BUSINESSES. TABLES ARE PROVIDED WHICH BREAK DATA DOWN BY REGION, SEX, RACE, AGE, OFFENSES, AND ATTITUDES. (JAP)